Lost Empire Ch. 65

Shelby smiled sweetly as she told him, "I have Derrick. Though I am afraid that this is only available while I am also in re-gen."

"So you're telling me they will be ready in two days? Are they ready to emerge?" Derrick asked.

"Yes, they are. That was the other reason I called." Shelby stated.

"Thank you Shelby," Derrick said almost in a whisper.

A moment later there was the now familiar sound of static over the speakers. Then an almost mechanical, male sounding voice, that grew stronger by the second came through.

"Hello? Can anyone hear me?" Came the almost pleading voice.

"Hello 0805, do you require further assistance?" Shelby answered.

"MOTHER!" They heard the male voice shout.

Suddenly a female voice broke in, "0805? They got you also?"

"0808, you are here also!" The male voice stated.

"It is good to have both of you back, though the emperor wishes to speak to you." Shelby told them.

Two dark haired teens appeared, both dropping to the floor at Derrick's feet. "It is indeed an honor Sire!" They both stated.

Derrick nodded as he addressed both of them. "I ask that all ships go by the name that was given to them. If they have none, then I will assign you one 'til you find one you like better. Now then, 0805, have you a name?"

The male nodded not raising his head. "Yes Sire, I was called Toran by my first crew."

"A fine name Toran, please a rise while I speak to 0808." Derrick instructed. The teen nodded as he arose standing next to his mother. "Now then 0808,"

Derrick started, then saw that the female teen was shaking. "Are you alright? I am not here to harm you, only to welcome you into the family that we all are now."

The female teen shook more, then slowly nodded. "I am sorry Sire, I have never had the honor of speaking to an emperor." Derrick looked at Shelby with an almost pleading look. Nodding, Shelby leaned to the teen's ear whispering. A moment later the teen was giggling nodding her head yes. Shelby looked at Derrick also nodding yes.

Letting out a breath of air he'd been holding, Derrick noticed that the rest of the ships were there also. "Now 0808, do you have a name?"

Nodding her head the teen female looked up, "Yes sire, I was called Radella for a very short time."

Derrick smiled as he nodded. "The both of you will make fine additions to the growing fleet." They both bowed to Derrick again, then all the ships started cheering. This caused both of the teen's eyes to go wide.

Derrick smiled even larger, then noticed a movement by the door. Waving for them to enter, he saw the empress walk in. All the ships bowed, then Shelby whispered to the two teens whose eyes got larger.

"I am sorry for interrupting Derrick, I thought I'd let you know your mother and grandmother are exceedingly happy." The empress said.

Derrick nodded looking at the empress's face. "I'd expect nothing less really." Derrick replied.

"I'm glad to see that the fleet is again growing. I just hope that we can recover both Zan and Sherry." The empress said hopefully.

"We will Shelby, I made a promise I don't intend to break." Derrick told her.

A moment later Shelby appeared before the both of them. "Thank you Derrick. It meant far more to them than you can imagine. Empress," Shelby said as she slightly bowed to the empress, then moved back with the other ships holo-grams.

It was six hours later when the three small ships finally cleared the debris field. "Alright I am reading that we are clear. He said that he wants us back as soon as possible. Are you ready?" The Vice-Admiral asked.

The Lieutenant Colonel was checking everything the whole time. "Looks like we might make it. I'll keep in constant contact just in case." Turning the Lieutenant Colonel's eyes went wide when he saw the ashen female shrinking back in terror.

"No! The evil blinking eye movement." She stated trying to make herself smaller. A moment later she started to scream as the ship moved forward into the trans-warp portal. The longer they were in it, the louder she screamed.

A few seconds later, an alarm went off as the Outmute A.I. stated, "Warning, warning! Female's life signs are failing. Estimated thirty seconds 'til total corporeal system failure."

"Everyone back to normal space immediately!" The Vice-Admiral was shouting over the com.

All three ships dropped back to regular space immediately. "Distance covered to final destination?" The Vice Admiral asked.

"Working." The voice of his A.I. returned. "Distance covered, seventy five percent."

"Time to reach the Imperial world in hyper-drive?" The Vice-Admiral asked.

"Estimated three days at maximum speed." All three men groaned at this news.

The Lieutenant Colonel was trying to help the female off the floor, only to have her shrink back further from him.

"NO!" She was screaming, "You tried to have us enter the evil eye. That is a place that is forbidden for all!" Then thankfully she passed out in his arms.

Looking down at the naked female in his arms he could only shake his head. Great he thought, that's all I need. Likewise, the other two men were having almost identical reactions from their passengers.

"Shit!" The Lieutenant Colonel said. "If he wasn't before, he'll be pissed now for sure." To which the other two agreed.